Diagsheet

2021 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet

Headlights too dim or fail

  • 65owner reports
  • 48,000median miles
  • $2,000median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Sep 2, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

108 of the 1,000 complaints on this car are about the exterior lighting. 65 of those describe headlights.

Tick what matches of 65 reports

12
61
3
16

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the headlight assembly (62 reports) and the ballast or module (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the exterior lighting covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

25V-348May 23, 2025
Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature that were repaired incorrectly under recall 24V443. An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights.

Risk and remedy
Risk: Inoperative reverse lights may fail to alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S57.

What owners paid

23 of the 65 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,500 to $2,500.

$1,500$2,000$2,500
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 35,000 and 51,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.

122
1624
3225
1626

What owners wrote

“Driver side LED DRL light has failed. This is a common problem occuring with many people with 2021+ year models of the Ford F-150. Truck is barely outside of warranty and with 51,000 miles and should not have a failing LED DRL. Additionally, Ford has made this part unrepairable and according to the dealership closest to me will require a full headlight assembly replacement.”

Filed Jan 24, 2026 · 51,000 miles

“Both Front headlight DRL failed at 40K miles. This poses a safety risk for other vehicles on the road”

Filed Jan 16, 2025 · 40,000 miles

“Running light led strip in both headlights has gone out before 40k miles. Numerous issues with these all over the road having the same problem. Causes an issue with visibility and is unsafe. Manufacturer wants 1700 per headlight to fix.”

Filed Dec 9, 2024 · 40,000 miles

“Both daytime running lights, which also serve as part of the headlights have burnt out. First the drivers side vertical strip of the LED light went out, then the passenger side same vertical strip only. Recently, the horizontal top strip of the headlight went out too. Just happened around 30,000 miles, little past 3 years since I bought my truck”

Filed Nov 20, 2024 · 30,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 65 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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